Yun Qing sensed a hint of jealousy in his tone.
This description sounds strange, but it fits Xie Rang perfectly.
Lin Chen was still watching when Yun Qing narrowed her eyes and stared at him warningly: "Your Majesty, please speak properly."
In front of outsiders, Xie Rang was willing to restrain himself a bit. If he really angered Yun Qing, it would be a loss for him.
As it turned out, the Imperial Tutor was indeed able to control the Emperor. Not long after he finished speaking, Lin Chen felt the tangible gaze that had been fixed on him disappear.
Xie Rang asked, "How's the matter I asked you to handle going?"
Lin Chen: "The people have been recalled and will arrive in the capital soon."
Yun Qing, curious, interjected, "Who is it?"
Fortunately, this matter was related to Yun Qing anyway, so Xie Rang patiently explained: "I announced to the public that the Grand Tutor was traveling and taking the opportunity to observe the local conditions. Now that the Grand Tutor has returned, it is time to recall those people."
When Yun Qing left, the situation in the court had just improved considerably, leaving the remaining difficulties for Xie Rang to practice on. Upon suddenly learning of her disappearance, he could only keep the matter a secret from her, along with Li Jia, and find someone else to travel in Yun Qing's place.
Yun Qing had taken all the precautions against accidents, writing down everything she could think of in a brocade pouch. If she didn't return on time, she would hand it all over to Xie Rang. That's why Xie Rang was able to pretend that she was still there.
Putting everything else aside, at least for now, Da Xi is developing as Yun Qing had envisioned.
After losing the influence of the Prince of Pingjiang, Xie Rang gradually consolidated all power in his own hands, including military power.
"Is that so?" Yun Qing was surprised, not expecting him to go to such lengths. Her feelings were complicated. "Your Majesty is very thoughtful."
Xie Rang did not respond.
He subconsciously wanted to preserve all traces of Yun Qing, so that he could look forward to her return sooner—and now his wish has come true.
Lin Chen felt something was off about the atmosphere between the teacher and student, and quickly said, "If Your Majesty has no further instructions, I will take my leave."
Xie Rang nodded: "Alright."
He himself did not want outsiders to continue to disturb his relationship with Yun Qing.
After Lin Chen left, Yun Qing was probably the most uncomfortable.
It was chilly outside, and Xie Rang, worried that she might catch a cold, suggested, "Grand Tutor, shall we go inside the palace to talk?"
Yun Qing thought for a moment and shook her head: "I'm feeling stuffy, let's just go for a walk outside."
[I really have a bit of a phobia of the palace.]
The teleportation was not something the system could control. Otherwise, Yun Qing would have definitely argued with the system about why it didn't teleport her back to the Li Mansion, but instead sent her to the Imperial Palace!
Xie Rang smiled and said, "Is the Grand Tutor afraid that I will do something to you? If so, I would not have unlocked the chains."
Yun Qing glanced at him suspiciously.
Why can't I believe it?
She said, "If we don't bring this up, we can still have a proper conversation."
He declined to comment.
It's clear that he really has nothing to do right now, and he seems quite enthusiastic as he accompanies Yun Qing on a stroll through the bare Imperial Garden.
Yun Qing pointed to an empty space, puzzled: "I remember there used to be plum blossoms planted there, but why are they gone now?"
In the chaotic years before, Yunqing had no time and dared not go out to wander around. But people always need to find something to do while they are alive. Those who know her well know that she likes to admire flowers, plants and trees.
The Imperial Garden used to look quite nice, with various plum blossoms blooming in winter. Now, it looks completely bare.
"They died because they weren't taken good care of," Xie Rang casually made up a reason, he had indeed overlooked this detail. "I'll have some transplanted here, so the Grand Tutor can see flowers next year."
Yun Qing didn't believe this reason and chuckled: "Could it be that you were worried someone would ambush you from the trees, so you cut them all down?"
Xie Rang glanced at Yun Qing with an inscrutable expression.
Yun Qing: ?
[Wow, I guessed right! Are these assassins really that dedicated?]
The place was barren and there wasn't much to see. The past was the past, and Xie Rang had his pride. Yun Qing didn't want to delve into those matters any further, so she granted Xie Rang's wish and returned to her bedchamber.
Xie Rang probably won't be thinking about decorating the other rooms for the time being. Yun Qing was too lazy to argue with him about these issues. As long as he didn't go too far, she could tolerate it.
She was completely unaware that her bottom line was being pushed back step by step.
Xie Rang smiled slowly; he had noticed.
Yun Qing didn't know what Xie Rang was laughing at. Her fingers tightened slightly. Since returning this time, she found herself increasingly unable to grasp Xie Rang's behavior. On the other hand, Xie Rang, having grown up, understood what it meant to be cautious and prudent. He seemed to have restrained himself, but in reality, he was even more dangerous.
She sighed, "His Majesty has grown so much."
"After all, that was four years."
Xie Rang casually mentioned those four years, but in reality, only he knew how much hardship he had endured to get to where he was today.
"It's alright..." Xie Rang smiled slightly, gazing intently at her, "I can protect the Grand Tutor now."
The deeper meaning he wanted to convey was that Yun Qing didn't need to care about other people's opinions; he could handle them all. She just needed to think carefully about whether to accept it or not.
Yun Qing took a sip of tea but did not directly answer Xie Rang's question.
To be fair, her feelings for Xie Rang were indeed complicated. Those four years in between were an accident. If she hadn't learned of this as soon as she returned, she probably wouldn't have even considered it.
Making a decision in such a short time is irresponsible to both her and Xie Rang.
"Alright." Xie Rang knew her personality and wasn't angry about it. He picked up a dossier and handed it to Yun Qing. "Grand Tutor, take a look. These are all things that have happened in recent years. When you return to the court, you'll be able to get started."
During the holidays, he could temporarily detain Yun Qing in the palace. After this period, things would gradually return to normal. A free bird should not be bound by him.
"What, you're not going to keep me chained up?"
Seeing his honest appearance, Yun Qing couldn't help but tease him.
Perhaps it was because Xie Rang's actions were so annoying that Yun Qing couldn't control her restless emotions when facing him after his return. In comparison, the former little tyrant was much easier to get along with than the current one.
"..."
Xie Rang stared at her quietly for a long time, then suddenly smiled: "Since the Grand Tutor has brought it up, then so be it."
Who knows how many chains Xie Rang had prepared? As soon as he finished speaking, he pulled out another chain from his sleeve and fastened it to Yun Qing's wrist with lightning speed.
The chain was very short, and when Xie Rang fastened it, the distance between them was immediately reduced to about one meter.
Yun Qing took a deep breath: ...
She shouldn't have been so sarcastic.
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